You've Got a Friend in Me
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Jul 2-8, 2023
Dr. "Joey" Alan Le
Icebreakers: 1) Which celeb would you want as your BFF? 2) How would your closest friends describe you?
Proverbs 4 - You've Got a Friend in Me - 20230703.pdfIntroduction
Introduction
Wisdom is when we outgrow our misconceptions about how life should work, and we learn how God actually built life to work. This growth in wisdom takes us way beyond petty rule-keeping. Wisdom is skill for living when there is no obvious rule to go by. A major area where wisdom helps us is friendship. Friendships are so important to us, yet so much of it is a matter of feel (Ortlund 165).
What are the most essential qualities you want in a friend?
In The Four Loves, C.S. Lewis says: “Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” What does he mean by this, and do you agree or disagree? Why?
1. A true friend loves at all times
1. A true friend loves at all times
PROVERBS 17:17 (ESV) A FRIEND LOVES AT ALL TIMES, AND A BROTHER IS BORN FOR ADVERSITY.
This proverb can better be translated as: “The true friend who loves at all times is like a brother born for adversity” (Miller 186).
What are the defining qualities of a true friend in this verse? Hint: Observe the duration and depth of faithfulness.
Share about a time when a friend was in deep with you and their love helped you through a difficult time.
2. One true friend is better than many fake friends
2. One true friend is better than many fake friends
PROVERBS 18:24 (ESV) A MAN OF MANY COMPANIONS MAY COME TO RUIN, BUT THERE IS A FRIEND WHO STICKS CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
What are some reasons why a person may have many “friends”? Why does this proverb say that many companions may cause ruin?
What life lessons did you have to learn the hard way?
3. A true friend is a giver, not a taker
3. A true friend is a giver, not a taker
PROVERBS 19:4 (NRSV) WEALTH BRINGS MANY FRIENDS, BUT THE POOR ARE LEFT FRIENDLESS.
What assets and benefits can money buy? Why do wealthy people have many friends? Why are the poor friendless?
Do you believe in giving people second chances?
4. Truth is better than flattery
4. Truth is better than flattery
PROVERBS 27:6 (CSB) THE WOUNDS OF A FRIEND ARE TRUSTWORTHY, BUT THE KISSES OF AN ENEMY ARE EXCESSIVE.
Why are the wounds from a friend trustworthy? Why would an enemy kiss?
Not every wound comes from an enemy, and not every kiss comes from a friend. Have you ever experienced this fact?
5. True friends make their friends better
5. True friends make their friends better
What are you responsible for in a friendship?
PROVERBS 27:17 (LXX) IRON SHARPENS IRON; AND A MAN SHARPENS THE FACE OF HIS FRIEND.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of being left alone? …of having a friend?
Can you share an example of how a friend has sharpened you in the past?
Works Cited
Works Cited
Miller, John W. Proverbs. Herald Press, 2004. Believers Church Bible Commentary
Ortlund, Raymond C., Jr. Preaching the Word: Proverbs—Wisdom That Works. edited by R. Kent Hughes, Crossway, 2012.
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